Carton-sealing apparatus



INVENTOR 8 Sheets-Sheet l A. C. SCHROEDER CARTON SEALING APPARATUS FiledFeb. 19

Oct. l28, 1930.

Oct. 28, 1930. A, Q SCHROEDER 1,779,985

CARTON SEALING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 19, 1927 8 sheetssheet 5 mac l fiATTORNEYS OGL 28, 1930? A. c. SCHROEDER CARTON SEALING APPARATUS FiledFeb. 19, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 mvENToR fAATToRNEYS out. 28, 1930. A, QSCHRQEDER 1,779,985 V CARTON SEALING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 19, 1927 `8Sheets-Sheet 5 s u A Z (p `jIiIVENTOR ATTORNEYS f OGL 28, 1930- A. c.scHRoEDER 1,779,935

CARTON SEALING `AIPARTUS Filed Feb. 19, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 *D INVNTOR fATToRNEYs A. C. SCHROEDER CARTON SEALING APPARATUS Oct. 28, 1930.

8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Feb. 19, 1927 OCL 28, 1930- A. c. sHRor-:DER1,779,985

CARTON n SEALING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 19, 1927 e sheets-sheet e H4 f@"05 BY -f/J' ATTORNEY5 Patented O ct. 1930 UNITED sTATE-s PATENT,LoFi-*ICE* AIB'TH'U'ZB. C. SCHBOE'DER, 0F SYRAGUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOETO STANDARD SEALING EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEWYORK, A OOBPORATION 0F NEW YORK CABTONSEALING APPARATUS application meaFebruary 19, '1927. serial m. 169,488.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for sealingcartons.l

' In packing certain classes of merchandise,

such for example as soap, canned milk, soup and the like, cartons madeof material such as bre board or composition, or corrugated board havecome into quite general user These cartons are usually closed by pairsof finner and outer flaps at both the top and bottomf According to themost convenient practice the cartons are filled with the merchandisebefore the flaps at either the to or bottom are sealed; both top andbottom gaps are, however, folded to the approximate position which theywill 'nally occupy, andthe carton is set aside until such time as it'may be sealed.

The present invention has to do particularly with an improved apparatusfor receiving such filled cartons with their flaps closed but unsealed,and performing such operations upon the carton as are necessary tocompletely seal the carton flaps and deliver the carton in sealedcondition.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor sealing cartons which is entirely automatic in its operation, andrequires no attention from an operator after it has once been adjustedto accommodate the particular size and quality of carton which it isdesired to seal.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide`an.apparatus in which the cartons remain stationary while the flaps aremanipulated for the purpose of sealing them.

The general principle underlying the present invention is that ofprovidingmechanism at a pluralit' of stations for simultaneously sealingthe apsof like faces of a plurality of cartons, and turning -the cartonsas they advance progressively from one station to the next so as topresent an unsealed carton face to each succeeding station.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism of improvedconstructionfor manipulating the flaps, applying adhesive, that isgumming them, and for feeding the cartons to the sealing mechanism.` y vA furtherobject of the invention is to proble of being readily reversedin its direction of operation for the purpose of removing damagedcartons which inadvertentlymay be allowed to reach the machine.

Briefly the carton sealing apparatus comprises carton feeding mechanismfor periodically admitting the cartons one at a time to the apparatus,carton advancing mechanism for carrying the cartons admitted by the feeding mechanism forward to the irst station, and for carrying thecompletely sealed car` tons from the next station out of themachine;flap sealing mechanism at each station including iap openers, gummingmechanism and vflap -closers; and turning mechanism between adjacentstations for turning the carton angularly so as to present an unsealedface to each succeeding station. 1

The invention will be further described in detail in connection with theapparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings which show by way ofexample an embodiment of the invention wherein two stations areprovided, and consequently having a single turning lmechanism disposedbetween these two stations.

In the apparatus lillustrated the turning mechanism operates through anangle of 180 and therefore completely turns over or inverts the carton.Also, in the apparatus illustrated, the 'turning mechanism transfers thecarton from the irst to thesecond station simultaneously with theturning movement.

In these drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine with motor anddrive omitted for clearness; turnvide a carton sealing apparatus whichis capaend of the machine, showing the liap openers 10o A in outermostposition, and showing also the adhesive applying mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section, similar to Fig. 4 with certain partsomitted, showing the flap openers withdrawn from the carton and showingalso the movement of the flap supporters to close the flaps;

Fi 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig'. 1 loo ing toward the exitend of the machine, showing in elevation the mechanism for operating theflap supporters to close the flaps (see also Fig. 12) and also showingan elevation of the turnover mechanism (see also Figs. .9-11) Fig. 7 isa longitudinal section taken on broken line 7-7 of Fig. 6 showing theturnover mechanism in the operation of invert- 'ing a carton; alsoshowing the discharge of a completely sealed carton as well as a freshcarton being fed into the machine;

Fig. 8 is a detail of the clutch actuating mechanism;

Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive illustrate the turnover mechanism in detail;

Fig. 12 is a detail section of the flap closing mechanism taken on line12-12 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a carton before 1t is sealed.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings the cartons 20 are suppliedto the machine on a suitable conve er such for exam le as the endlessbelt 21. t is not unusual or.V this conveyer to be arran ed dn a gentlein' cline so that the cartons eslcdend by gravity Vtoward the sealingapparatus. The foremost carton 20 will therefore advance under theinfluence of gravity .against a stop 22 secured in fixed position to apart of the frame of the sealing apparatus.

In describing the apparatus, however, instead of tracing the movement ofa carton throughout the machine, we will assume that two cartons(shownlin dotted lines at A and B, Fig. 2) have already been placedrespec tively at the first and second stations. Itwill l be understoodthat the first station is at the entrance end of the machine which is tothe left in Fig. 2 and that the second station is at the exit end of themachine which is to the right.

With cartons A and B in the positions just described the turning over 0fcarton B has just been completed and carton A has just been admitted tothe apparatus and advanced to the position shown. The flap sealingmechanism is about to open the flaps. Starting with the apparatus inthis position we shall trace through the cycle of operation of themachine during which the structure of the various parts of the apparatuswill be explained.

The carton A rests upon its closed but unsealed bottom flaps and cartonB rests upon its closed sealed flaps and the cartons are supported upona pair of sets of endless belts 23 and 24 of the carton advancingmechanism. Belt set 23 is carried upon suitably spaced pulleys 25 and26, pulley 25 secured upon a shaft 27 adjacent the entrance end ofthemachine, and pulleys 26 being suitably journaled near the center ofthe machine adjacentythe turning mechanism. rBelt set 24 is similarlypositioned at the exit end of the machine, the driving pulleys 28thereof being secured to shaft 29. The spacing of these pulleys may beseen in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 1; The upper passes of belts 23 and 24 aresupported in horizontal position by series of table rolls 30 and 31respectivel so as to provide smooth horizontal supports or the bottomsof cartons A and B.

The belts 23 and 24 are periodically driven as follows. An electric orother `motor 32 drives a shaft 33, journaled at the exit end of themachine, by means of a belt 34 which passes over a pulley 35. A train ofgearing indicated generally at 36 serves to connect shaft 33 with twoother shafts 37 and 38, and to operate these two shafts atcorrespondingly reduced rotational speeds. A sprocket 39 is provided onshaft 38 by which a sprocket 40 which is loosely mounted on belt shaft29 is driven by an endless chain 41. Sprocket 40 forms a part of aclutch 42, the coacting movable member 43 of which is splined asindicated at 44 to shaft 29. The movable clutch member 43 is slidablelongitudinally by means of a bifurcated arm 45 so as to threw the4clutch into and out of gear and thus control the rotation of shaft 29and the advance of the cartons. Shaft 29 is operatively connected withthe other belt driving shaft 27 by means of a shaft `46 extendinglongitudinally of the machine and provided at its ends with spiral gears47 and 48. These gears coact respectively with spiral gears 49 on shaft29 and 50 on shaft 27. In this way shaft 27 is driven smoothly in unisonwith shaft 29 so that both of the endless belts 23 and 24 are advancedtogether whenever clutch 42 is thrown in.

The bifurcated arm 45 which throws clutch 42 into and out of gear iscontrolled by the mechanism shown in Figs. 8 and 4 by means of a clutchoperating cam 51 which is secured to a cam shaft 52. The arm 45 ispivoted at 53 as shown in Figs. 8 and 1 to the frame of the machine soas to allow the arm to move in a horizontal plane passing through shaft29. The means for operatively connecting the cam 51 to the arm 45,comprises the toggle members 54 and 55 pivoted to each other at 56 andalso pivoted respectively to the arm 45 and to the frame of the sealingmachine. A vertical link 57 is pivoted to the toggle members at theircommon joint 56 and has a roller 5 8 which travels on the surface of thecam. A spring 59 is arranged to keep roller 58 in contact with the camand therefore tends to open the toggle/and bias the clutch.

42 to the closed position. The clutch is thrown out offgear and themotion of the carton advancing belts 23 and 24 stopped when the camraises link 57 against the' action of spring 59.

The cam shaft 52 is driven at an extremely slow rotative speed by meansof a chain 6() from the slow speed shaft 38of gearing 36. This cam shaftcarries cams in addition to the clutch cam '51 by which the variousmechanisms of the sealing machine are caused to operate in appropriatelytimed relation with respect to one another. Thus cam 61 which we willcall the feeding cam controls the carton feeding mechanism by which thecartons are admitted to the sealing apparatus at the appropriate time,and cam 62 actuates the ap opening mechanism;,also cam 63 actuates theadhesive applying or gumming rolls. These various mechanisms vare to bedescribed below. Having referred brieiiy to these parts of theapparatus, let us now return to the consideration ofthe sequence ofoperations performed upon the cartons by the carton sealing apparatus.It will be remembered that cartons A and B have been assumed to be inposition in the two operating stations of the machine, carton A being atthe first station, and carton B being at the second station.

With the cartons at these stations the iap sealing mechanism commencesto operate, clutch 42 having been thrown out by clutch cam 51'so thatthe carton advancing belts 23 and 24 are stationary. The flap sealingmechanism at each station is identical and the two mechanisms areactuated simultaneously so as to open the outer top flaps of bothcartons A and B at the same time. These flap openers consist of a pairof fingers 64 for openingfthe flaps of carton B and 65 for operatingupon flaps of'carton A. The fingers are suitably shaped at their ends toenter beneath the outer carton iiaps which usually open slightly at thecenter of the carton as indicated at Fig. 13 due to the naturalstiffness of the material. The fingers 64 and 65 are caused first tomove inwardly beneath the carton flaps with their inner ends close to'vone another, and are then forced apart s o as to open they carton flapsby turning them on their hinges. y

The pairs of arms 64 and 65 are mounted respectively upon the T-shapedheads 66 and 67 of a pair of rocker arms 68 and 69 respectively. Theserocker arms 68 and 69 are fixed to rock shafts 70 and k71 respectively.The details of the mounting of arms 64 and 65 upon the rocker arms 68and 69 are of especial construction which will be presently described.v' y As soon as cartons A and B reach the rst and second stations asabove .referred to the ends of fingers 64 and 65 are caused to detheiiap opening cam 62 which is operatively connected with shaft 70 bymeans of a connecting rod 72 and a crank arm 73. The angular movementthereby imparted to shaft 76 is transmitted to shaft 71 by means ofconnecting rod 74 and the cranks 75 and 76.

The mounting for securing the pair of fingers 64 to the heads 66 of thearm 68 comprises a pair of rods 77,- one for each finger 64, upon` thelower ends of which these fingers are pivoted so as to permit angularmovement of the fingers with respect to the rods. The lower ends ofthese rods are bent outwardly so that angular movement of the rodsalters the position of the pivotal axis of the fingers 64 thereon. Theupper portions of' these rods passing through apertures in the head 66are rotatable therein. Collars are secured to rods 77 above and belowthe head 66 so as to prevent therods from moving laterally in theseapertures, and the upper collars 78 are each provided with projections79 which extend inwardly at right angles to the rods. These projectionsserve two functions. First, they provide means to which to secure thespiral spring 80 which by tending to angularly displace rods 77 urgesoutwardly the. lower bent portions of the rods to the position shown inFig. 5. Second, cam surfaces 81 are formed on these projections for thepurpose of gradually swinging the lower bent portions of the rods 77inwardly to change the angular position of the pivotal axis of thefingers 64 for a purpose which will appear presently. A second pair ofcam-like projections 82 are secured directly to the lingers 64 andextend substantially at right angles thereto for the purpose of rotatingthe fingers about their pivotal axes on the rods 77. l

The mounting of the pair of fingersv 65 upon the arm 69 is exactly thesame as just described in connection with fingers 64.

The ends of fingers 64, continuing their descent under the action of cam62 as above referred to, enter beneath theI outer top flaps 83 ofcartons A and B raising these flaps somewhat because of the thickness ofthe fingers. lVhen the pairs of fingers 64 and 65 have advanced beneaththe flaps to the position shown in Fig. 3 the cam projections 82 and 79come in contact respectively with stationary vertical plates 84, andvertical stationary bars-85 on the frame of the apparatus. This causes asimultaneous rotation of lingers 64 about their pivotal axes upon rods77 and a rotation of the rods 77 themselves which displaces the pivotalaxes from their normal outward position to which they are biased byspring 80. As the result of the compound movement thus given to fingers64 theends of fingers 64 are forced apart and in so moving travelsubstantially in a single horizontal plane even though the arms 68continue to move downwardly. The motion of 'the fingers 64 after cams 82and 79 come into mechanism. r1`he gumming mechanism comprises for eachstation a pair of adhesive receptacles 86, a pair of adhesive applyingrollers 87 kand a pair of adhesive transfer rollers 88 for lifting theadhesive from the receptacles 86 and spreading it in a thin film uponthe surfaces of rollers 87. Adhesive rollers 87 are mounted at the endsof rocker arms 89 which are fixed to a pair of shafts 90 that extendlongitudinally of the machine so as to carry the rocker arms 89 andadhesive rollers 87 for both the first and second stations.

These rock shafts are connected by a connecting rod 91 and short cranks,as in the case of shafts 70 and 71 of the flap opening mechanism, sothat rotation of either of the two shafts 90 causes the other shaft torotate an equal amount in the opposite direction. One of shafts 90 isprovided with an actuating crank 92, and a connecting rod 93 joins thiscrank with the adhesive roller actuating cam 63.

The timing of the fiap opening cam 62 and adhesive roller cam 63 is suchthat as the adhesive rol-ls 87 are moved in the direction of the arrowsin Fig. 4, the fingers 64 have reached their outermost position andrecede -just in advance of rolls 87. As the rolls 87 reach the dottedposition shown in Fig. 4 they come in contact with the upper surfaces offlaps 83 and the film ofadhesive is transferred from the rolls to theflaps, the flaps bein supported and held in contact with the adhesiverolls during this operation bymeans of the rectangular shaped fiap suports 94.

e advance of rolls 87 is continued until adhesive is swept upon as muchof the surface of flaps 83 as is desired, and then the camA 63 causesthe movement of the rolls 87 to reverse and returns them to their normaloutward position in contact with the adhesive transfer rolls 88 so thatthe film of adhesive which has been removed may be replenished. Thetransfer rolls 88 are rotated continuously. These rolls are secured upona pair of shafts 95 which extend longitudinally of the machine alf/.1geach side thereof, thereby carrying the transfer rolls 88 forboth thefirst and second stations.`

Shafts 95 are appropriately journaledv near their ends in the machineframe, and are interconnected at the exit end of the machine nvvaess bymeans of a cross shaft 96 and spiral gearing 97 and 98. The cross shaft96 is driven by a chain 99 from a sprocket on shaft 37 of the gearing36. v V

Each of the adhesive rolls 87 is, broken away in the center as indicatedin Figs. 1, 2, and 3 so as to leave a portion at the center of each flapwhich is uncoated With adhesive, thisA being desirable inasmuch as theinner margins of the inner flaps of the cartons ordinarily do not meet.If the surface of the outer fiaps between the margins of the innerflapsis coated with adhesive it is liable to soil the contents of thecarton. Adhesive rolls 87 are provided with an adjustable mounting atthe ends of rock shafts 89 so as to facilitate the adjustment of therolls with respect to the flap supports 94, and so as to accommodatecartons of different'size.

The operation of the mechanisms just de- 'hinges so that their gummedsurfaces are pressed down upon the surfaces of the inner, carton fiaps.During this closing of the fla s thin blades or fins 100, and 101 restupon tiie inner carton flaps of cartons A and B respectively. If fiaps83 do not turn accurately on their -hinges each time they are refolded,their inner margins will tend to overlap one another and the thin fins100 and 101 provide smooth surfaces over which the inner margins of theflaps 83 slide as they approach their final position, and thus the flapsare forced outwardly bringing the corners of the carton into properposition and separating the margins of the fiaps by the thickness of thefins.

The flap supporters and closers 94 are a part of the mechanism forturning or inverting the carton, and having proceeded to the point wherethe flaps of both cartons are closed by these members, we will nowreturn in our description to mention the events mechanism which haveoccurred during the opening, gumming and closing of the flaps. Thecarton turning mechanism consists of two sets of ba'rs 102 and 103 whichwhen lo ilar rectangular members lirmly mounted upon a central shaftl107 at the ends of lshafts 104 and 105 and spaced inwardly somewhatfrom the respective sides of the sealing machine. Shaft 107 is journaledat each side of the sealing machine in the machine frame. h Inasmuchasthe two members of the frame 106 are both firmly mounted upon shaft107 they may be turned together bodily, and` when so turned the rotationof shafts 104 29 and 105 is prevented as will be presently described,the bars 102 and 103 being held 1n parallel relation as ,shown in Fig. 7thereby forming the'cradle for the carton. When' the turning of thecarton is completed, however, the bodily rotation of frame 106 isarrested and shafts 104 and a105 are set rotating so as to return bars102 and 103 in the direction shown by the arrows ,in Fig. 3 from thesecond station to the first station,

This return movement of bars 102 and 103 commences as soon as these barsreach the position shown in' Fig. 2 where they have just depositedcarton B at station 2, or, 1n

other words, this return movement of bars 102 and 103 startssubstantially simultaneously with the descent of fingers 64 and 65toward the carton flaps, andin Fig. 3 when lingers l64 and 65 haveentered beneath the flaps bars 102 and 103 are well on thelr way towardsthe first station.

This backward rotatlon of bars 102 and 103, and the entire operation ofthe turnover mechanism including the control of the movement of turnoverframe 106 Yis accomplished inthe following manner.

.Referring particularly to Fig. 10 and also to Figs. 3, 7, 9 andll asprocket 108 `1s driven continuously in the same direction vby means ofa chain 109 from the continuously rotating m, cam shaft 52. Sprocket 108drives a quill 110 upon the ipner end of which a large cam 111 issecured, and on the outer end of which a disc 112 is mounted. Uamlll anddisc'112 therefore rotate continuously as long as motor 32 is operating.A

The disc 112 is arranged to drive the turnover frame shaft 107 tobodilyrotate the turning frame 106, and cam 111 serves to rotate the shafts104 and 105 which support 30 the turnover bars v102 and 103, all laswill presently appear. Since we are at the 'point of our cycle ofoperations where the turnover bars 102 and 103 are returning'to thefront of the machine, we will lrst describe the operation ofcam 111.Coacuug with points on this cam 180 apart is a pair of ro1lers`113 whichare mounted upon cross pieces` 114 (Fig. 9) which serve to connect tworack bars 115 and 116 which are arranged to slide upon the oppositesides of the member of turnover frame 106 which is adjacent cam 111. Aslong as turnover frame 106 is bodily rotating with the shaft 107 thereis norelative movement between cam 111 and the turnover frame andconsequently rack bars 115 and 116 do not move relative to theturnoverframe.

In the condition of aifairs illustrated in Fig. 3 rack bar 115 engages arelatively long stop member 117 fixed to the frame of the sealin machinethereby holding the turnover of the parts shown in Fig. 3, thereforecam111 is. moving rack bars 115. and 116 down- Wardly relative to frame106. This movement causes the teeth of the racks which engage pinions118 and 119 fixed respectively to turnover bar shafts 104 and 105, torotate these shafts in their journalsvand move the turnover bars 102 and103 .in the direction shown bythe arrows inv IF ig. The flap closers 94are secured at leach endjof adouble crank shaped member 120/(Fig. 1)anfd'the central portion 121 of this crank turns freely in an aperturepassing through shaft 107 at right angles to the frame members 106 kandadjacent thereto. A beveled gear 122A lon the central portion 121meshes'with a beveledv gear sector 123 which turns loosely on shaft 107.The double crank 120 is rotated by this beveled gearingas will appearbelow to cause the flap supporters 94 to move from the dotted positionshown in Fig. 5 to the full line position to effect the closing of theflaps. Crank 120 is biased tothe position shown in Fig. 1 -whichcorresponds with. the dotted position of Fig. 5 by meanslof aspring andalso by aweight 125. This llap supporting mechanism is duplicated on thetwo sides of the arton near the yend s of .turnover frame 106. I v

As the rotation of shafts 104 and 105 progresses carryingthe bars102vands103 nearly to their horizontal position at station 1, and afterthe adiesive rolls 87 havFre'ceded a rgumming aps 83,'a pin 126 i whichprojects'from the side ofbevelegeai' sector 123 is engaged by `-anelement 127 mounted uponturnover bar shaft 104. Element 127 is looselymounted upon ,shaft 104 which at this position is caused to. rotate withthe Vshaft because of the presence of-a pin 128 which extends from thesurface-of the-shaft and engages'one end of a slot 129 :in element 127The continued rotation offshaftl 104 therefore causes the beveled gearsector'123 which as mentionedabove is loosely mounted on shaft 107 torotate, thus rotating beveledVl gear 122, and the double crank 120 andcausing the flaps83 tolbe closed bythe movement of thesupporters 94.vThe lengths ofelement rame 106 stationary. .In the position turnoverbars 102 are in contact with the top 127 are such that when the ydoublecrank 120 has moved through an angle of 90, pin 126 passes beyond theend of element 127 and the double cranks fly back to their normalposition under the influence of springs 124 and weights 125.

Just after this closing of the flaps takes place the clutch 42 is thrownin byclutch cam 51 and the carton advancin mechanism is set inoperation. Carton having been completely sealed immediatel starts on itsmovement out of the machine eing carried forward on belt 24 anddischarged onto the conveyer table 130. Belt 23 slides for a moment onthe bottom of carton A, the forward end of which is against the stopmembers 131.

Fin 101 at station 2 is thrown up to the dotted position shown in Fi 7by a slight fui-ther raising of arm 68 un er the influence of flapopening cam 62, this movement of the arm 68 bein vtransmitted to the finthrough a rod 132.. od 132 is pivoted to the fin 101 and passes throughan aperture in the head of arm 68. \Collars 133 and 134 are adjustablymounted upon rod 132 for adjusting the movement of the fin. VWhen thefin is thrown up to the dotted position just referred to it is cau ht ina air of friction lingers 135 which old the fin in this position afterthe arms 68 have again descended.

The turnover bars 102 and 103 have now completed their return movementto the first station and at this instant rack bar115 (Fig. 3)y reachesthe bottomof stop 117, and a notch 136 in disc 112 (Figs. 11 and 10)engages a s ring pressed pawl 137 which is pivoted on t e face of asecond disc 138 that is secured firmly to turning frame shaft 107. Itwill be remembered that disc n112 rotates continuously and hencethebodily rotation of the turnover frame now commences, the lower bars 103passing upwardly between the spaced pulleys 28 of thev belt 23 andgradually raising carton A oi from this belt. The upper l' o'f carton Aand are maintained in fixed relation parallel to bars 103 throughthefpinion rack and cam mechanism previously described.

At this time Vfeeding cam 61 (Fig. 2) has rotated to a position almost180 from the position shown in that figure and has engaged a roller onthe end of a long lever 139 which is pivoted at 140 about midway of themachine and extends to the forward end of the sealing apparatus where itis connected by a link 141 with a lifting mechanism 142 whlch begins tolift the forward end of the carton 20. This mechanism (Fig. 1) comprisesa roller 143 which is pivoted at the outer ends of a pair of arms 144and positively drlven by chain 145 from shaft 27 of the carton advancingmechanism.

As carton A rises it lifts the inner end of iin 100 which is pivoted atits opposite end on the frame of the machine, and when carton A has beenelevated to about the position shown in Fig. 7 feeding mechanism 142 hasraised the forward end of the new unsealed carton 20 above the top ofstop 22, and allows the carton to advance onto the belt 23. If theendless belt 21 is inclined as previously mentioned the weight of thecartons behind the carton 20 will push this carton forward onto belt 23.If, however, belt 21 is substantially horizontal the tractive effort ofthev positively driven roll 143 'will push carton 20 forward onto belt23. As soon, however, as the rear end of carton 20 leaves the roll 143,cam 61 promptly lowers the roll so that the carton immediately behindwill be arrested by thestop 22.

The belt 23 slowly carries carton 20 into the position previouslyoccupied by carton A at the first flap sealing station. When the forwardend of the carton strikes the sto 131 vthe belt will slide on the bottomof t e carton and hold the carton firmly in place against these stops sothat it will be in the right position to be operated upon by the flapsealing mechanism.

Guides 146 are placed along each side of belt 23 to insure that thecartons are held in `the correct position laterally. Similar guides 147cooperate with belt 24 in maintaining the lateral position of thecartons at the second station, and in delivering them from the apparatusonto the table 130.

As soon as carton A has been carried by the turnover mechanism beyondthe end of fin 100 this fin falls back by gravity into horizontalposition on the top of the new carton 20 which has now taken the placeof carton A at the first station. The continued rotation ofturnover-frame 106 results in the depositing of carton A on belt 24at'the seond station. During this transfer from station No. 1 to stationNo. 2, however, carton A has been inverted and the top carton flapswhich were sealed at station No. 1 now rest upon belt 24, and the bottonflaps of carton A are presented upwardly to the flap sealing mechanismof station 2. It will be remembered that fin 101 has, previous to theoperation of the turnover mechanism, been lifted to thel dotted positionshown in Fig. 7, and held in this position by the friction fingers 135,and hence it is removed from the path of the carton.

Bodily rotation of turnover frame 106 is stopped by the simultaneousengagement of rack bar 115 with the stop 117 shown in Fig. 3, and thelifting of pawl 137 (Fig. 11) out of notch 136 by the corner 148 of thestationary but adjustable lifting cam 149 (Fig. 10) Lifting cam 149 ismounted in closely adjacent relationship to the disc 112 on the exteriorof quill 110, and pa'wl 137 is made wide enough to overlap the liftingcam.

ly adjusted by means of the handle 150 and -sector 151 so astoaccurately time the lifting of pawl 137 out of its slot With respectto the contacting of the rack bars with stop 117. A secon-d pawl 137'and notch corresponding to notch 136 are located 180o from 4pa'wl 137and notch 136 to effect the next turnover operation and it will beunderstood that alternate turnover operations are effected by each ofthesepawls. Y

Inorder to provide for the operation of the turnover mechanism in thereverse direction to facilitate the removal of a damaged carton from theturnover frame, another Set of pawls 152 and 152 are provided, thesebeing' pivoted on the same pivots as pawls 137 and 137 by extending inthe opposite direction. Notches for the reception of these pavvls are tobe found in disc 112. The Width of lifting cam 149 is made substantiallyequal to the distance between a pair of oppositely directed pawls asisto be seen in Fig. 11 so as to appropriately position the second corner153 of this cam to lift pawls 152 and 152v out of their coacting slotsat the proper time when-.the turnover .mechanism is reversed.

If-itA Were'not for provision for reversing, 'lifting cam 149 could bevery short since it is only 'j necessary to force the pawl out of itsnotch vin order tostop the-rotation of the turnover frame;- 1

Justbefore thecarton A isdeposited upon belt 244 clutch `42 isagainlfthrown out by clutchcam 51so that belt'24 will be stationu -arywhen 'ib-receives the carton.

As soon :as the `angular bodily movement of the turnover frame 106 isarrested by the release of-'pawl 137 and the engagement of rack bar 116with stop 117, the'relative movement of cam 111 with respect to theturnover frameagain commences Asince cam ,111 rotate's continuously aspreviously described, and this relative movement again promptly startsthe downwardsliding movement of the rackbars 116 and115 which-againinitiates the return movement ofthe turnover bars l103 and 102 in thedirection ofthe arrows indicated in Fig. 3. f f Y This brings us back tothe same point in the cycle at which our description started, and theflap sealing mechanism again 'commences to operate, the first movementof this mechanism being the descent of iapopening finger-S64 and 65beneath the iaps of the two cartons. The -lap sealing operation which isnow about to take place completes -the sealing of carton Awhich is nowin station 2, and seals one face, namely the upper face of carton20Which-is inastation 1;

`Briefly summarizing the cycle of operations of the sealing machine,assuming that cartons A and B are both in position at stations 1 and 2on belts 23 and 24 respectively,

opening ngers 64 and 65, the gumming rolls 87, and the combinedsupporters and flap closers 94 operate on t-he outer flaps of the upperfaces of both cartons. Meanwhile the turnover bars 102 and 103 oftheturnover merely slides on the bottom of carton A for a moment until theturnover mechanism lifts the carton from belt 23 at the commencement ofturnover. As soon as carton A has been elevated enough to make room fora-new car-- ton at station 1 the carton feeding mechanism 142 admits thefresh carton and assists belt 23 in feeding it into vposition at thefirst station against the stops 131.

The continuation of the rotation of the turnover mechanism transferscarton A from station 1 to station 2 in the inverted position, thesealed face of carton A which was uppermost at station l being now incontact with belt 24, and its unsealed face which rested on belt 23 atstation 1 being now placed upwardly at station 2 so as to be in positionto be acted upon by the next operation of the carton sealing mechanism.which promptly vfollows the turnover operation.

Tracing the path of a single carton through the sealing apparatus, wefind that the carton enters the machine on a conveyer belt 21 and isautomaticallyfedito the machine by the trigger mechanism 142 and carriedfurther by the carton advancing-belt 23 until the forward end of thecarton strikes stop 131.

Upon reaching this position the 4iiap sealing mechanism comprising theflap opening ngers 65, the adhesive rolls 87, and thecoinbined-iapsupporters and closers 94 succesmechanism 142, and when theturnover operation has been completed the flapl sealing mechanism againoperates to effect the sealy ing of the iiaps on ythe top faces ofbothcarc tons, the face ofthe carton on belt 24, which is presentedtothe sealing mechanism being the bottom of this `same carton which was incontact 'with belt 23 when the carton was in station 1. As soon as thisoperation of the flap sealing mechanism is completed the'carton atstation 2 has been completely sealed I claim:

1. In a machine for sealing filled cartons having two stations, meansfor successively advancing cartons to one of said stations, means forstopping each carton at said station, means for successively removingcartons from the other station, flap sealing means at each station foroperating upon a portion of the carton flaps to seal the same while thecartons remain in stationary position, means for simultaneouslyactuating the ilap sealing means at both stations, means fortransferring the cartons from one of said stations to the otherincluding means for inverting -the cartons during said transfer, andmeans for stopping each carton at said second station.

' 2. In a carton sealing machine, flap sealing means for sealing aportion of the flaps of a carton at each of a pair of spaced stat-ions,and means for 'turning said carton and simultaneously transferring itfrom the preceding station to the succeeding station so as to present anunsealed face to the sealing means at the succeeding station, saidturning means comprising a bodily rotatable frame, supports carried bysaid frame for engaging the carton, and means for rotating said frame inappropriately timed relation to the operation of the flap sealing means.

3. In carton sealing machine, flap sealing means for sealing a portionthe flaps of a carton at each of a pair of spaced stations, and meansfor turning said carton and simultaneously transferrin it from thepreceding station to the succee ing station so as Ito present anunsealed face to the sealing means at the succeeding station, saidturning mechanism com rising a bodily rotatable frame, sup rts orengaging the carton pivoted in sal frame, means for rotating said frameto eiect transfer of the carton to the succeedlng station, means formaintaining said supports 1n fixed relationship to the frame dur- 1nsaid rotation, and means for rotating sald pivoted sup rts relative tothe frame to return them to t e preceding station.

4. In a carton sealing machine, ila sealing means for sealing a portionof the aps of a carton at a air of spaced stations, and means for turnlnsaid carton and simultaneously transferrlng it from the precedingstation to the succeeding station so as to present an unsealed face-tothe sealing means at the succeeding-station, said turning meansstationary relative to the frame during said rotation, and means forsliding said racks relative to the frame to rotate said supports andreturn them to the preceding station.

5. In a carton sealing machine, flap sealing means for sealing a portionofthe flaps of a carton at a pair of spaced stations, and means forturning said carton and simultaneously transferring it from thepreceding station tothe succeeding station so as to present an unsealedface to the sealing means at the succeeding station, said turning meanscomprising a bodily rotatable frame, suports for engaging the cartonpivoted in said ame, rack and pinion mechanism carried byv said frameand operatively connected with said supports, means for rotating theframe to effect transfer of the carton to the succeeding station, meansfor holding said rack stationary relative-to the frame ,during saidrotation, means for sliding said racks relative to the frame to rotatesaid supports and return them to the preceding station, and a fixed stopdisposed in the path of one of said racks for arresting the rotation ofsaid frame when it reaches the succeeding station.

6. In a carton sealing machine, ilap sealing means for sealin a ortionof the flaps of the carton at eac og stations, and mechanism forw turninsaid carton and simultaneously transferrlng it from the precedingstation to the succeeding station so as to present an unsealed face tothe sealing means at the succeeding station, said turning mechanismcomprising a bodilyv rotatable frame, a shaft for said frameksupportsfor engaging the carton pivoted to" said frame, a continuously rotatingdriving member associated with sald shaft,

means operativel connecting said driving member with sai pivotedsupports to cause said su ports to rotate relative to said frame when te driving member rotates relative to said 5me, clutch mechanism forconnecting sai shaft with said driving member so as to cause saidv frameto be rotated, and means for disengaging said clutch mechanism during aportlon of each revolution of the driving member, whereby the bodilyrotation of said frame ceases and rotation of said pivoted supportsrelative to the frame is effected. y A

7. In a carton sealing machine, ap sealing means for sealing a portionof the flaps of a carton at eachof a pair of spaced stations, andmechanism for turning said carton and simultaneously transferring itfrom the preceding station to the succeeding station so as to present anunsealed face to the sealing means at the succeeding station, saidturningmeans com rising a bodily rotatable frame, a shaft or said frame,supports for engaging the carton pivoted to ksaid frame, a continuouslyrotating drivin member associated with said shaft, rackan a pair ofspaced lio rotation of the driving member wherebyV said rack and pinionmechanism is operated to 'rotate said pivoted supports during theremainder of the. rotation of said driving member.

8. In a carton sealing machine, Hap sealing means for sealing a portionof the flaps of a carton at each of a pair of lspaced stations, cartonadvancing and supporting means at each station comprising a plurality ofvparallel spaced belts, and mechanismfor turning said carton andsimultaneously transferring it from one ofy said stations to the v othercomprising ax bodily rotatable frame, a plurality of carton supportingbars for engaging the top and bottom o f `said carton pivotally mountedat one end in said frame, and means. for rotating said frame to i effecttransfer of the carton, said carton supporting'bars being so disposed ins aid rotatable frame as to pass between said spaced belts during saidturning movement to lift the carton from Athe spaced belts at onestation,.and deposit thecarton upon the spaced belt-s at the otherstation.

9. In a carton sealing machine, flap sealing means for sealing a portionof the aps I of a carton at each of a pair of spaced stations, and meansfor turningsaid carton and simultaneously transferring it from thepreceding station to the succeeding station, said turning mechanismcomprising a bodily rotatable frame, supports for engaging the cartonpivoted in said frame, means for rotating said frame to effect transferof the carton to the succeeding station, means for maintaining saidsupports in fixed relationship to the frame during said rotation, meansfor rotating said pivoted supports relative to the frameto return themto the preceding station, said flap sealing means including flap closingmembers pivotally carried -on said turning vmeclamsm, and meansoperatively connecting said carton supports with said flap closingmembers so as to effect the rotation of said members during the rotationof the carton supports to close the carton aps.

10. In a carton sealing machine, means for sealing the flaps of acarton, carton advancing mechanism for advancing the carton intoposition to be operated upon by said fiap sealing means, a cartonconveying device for conveying the` cartons successively to a positionadjacent the carton advancing mechanism, a stop associated with thecarton advancing mechanism normally to prevent the cartons from theconveying deviceA from passing onto the-advancing mechanism, andperiodically actuated means for elevating the forward end of theforemost carton on said conveying device above said stop so as to permitthe carton to enter said advancing mechanism. said means being actuatedin timed relation to said flap sealing means.

11. In a carton sealing machine, means for sealing the flaps of acarton, carton advancing mechanism for advancing the carton intoposition to be operated upon' by said Hap sealing means, a cartonconveying device for conveying the cartons successively to a positionadjacent the carton advancing mechanism, a stop associated with saidadvancing mechanism normally to prevent the cartons from passing onto'said mechanism, and periodically actuated means for elevating theforward end of the foremost carton on said conveying device above thetop of said stop,

lingers in close proximity to one another,

and means for thereafter forcing said fingers apart to cause said flapsto`be opened outwardly by rotation about their hinges.

13.' In a carton sealing machine, mechanism for opening the carton flapscomprising a rock arm, a Hap engaging linger operatively supported uponsaid arm, means for actuating said rock arm to carry the outer end ofsaid finger beneath the carton Hap, and means for thereafter moving thefinger with respect to said arm to cause the linger to swing the iapabout its hinge to open the same.

14.' In a carton sealing machine.. mechanism for opening a hinged cartonHap comprising a pivoted rock arm,fa linger pivoted on said arm havingits pivotal axis at an angle to the axis of said arm, means for swingingtherock arm to cause it to approach the carton and bring the outer endof the finger imder the flap. means for thereafter simultaneouslyswinging said finger on its axis and varying the angular position ofsaid axis with respect to the rock arm whereb v the end of the finger ismoved substantially in a plane as the rock arm continues its approachtoward the carton thereby swinging the flap outwardly about )its hinge.

15. In a carton sealing machine-` mechanism for opening a hinged cartonflap comprising a rock arm pivoted to swing toward said carton, a rodhaving its inner portion pivoted to the rock arm at right angles to therock arm pivot, the outer portion of said rod being bent at an angle tothe inner portion, a flap engaging finger pivoted on said outer portionof said rod so that its pivotal axis is thereby placed at an angle tothe pivotal axis of the rod in the rock arm, means for swinging the rockarm to cause it to approach the carton and bring the outer end of saidfinger under the carton flap, means for guiding said finger to cause itto project toward the carton until the outer end of the finger hasentered beneath said flap, and means for deflecting the finger as therock arm continues its movement, including means for rotating said rodto vary the angle of the pivotal axis of the finger thereon so as tocause the outer end of the finger to move substantially in a singleplane and unfold the flap about its hinge.

16. In a carton sealing machine, mechanism for opening a hinged cartonflap comprising a rock arm pivoted to swing toward said carton. a rodhaving its inner portion pivoted to the rock arm at right angles to therock arm pivot, the outer portion of said rod being bent at an angle tothe inner portion, a flap engaging finger pivoted on said outer portionof said rod so that its pivotal axis is thereby placed at an angle tothe pivotal axis of the rod in the rock arm, a cam secured to andprojecting from said rod, and a second cam secured to and projectingfrom said flap engaging finger, means for swinging the rock arm to causeit to approach the carton and bring the outer ends of said fingerunderneath the carton flap, members adapted to coact-with each of saidcams fixed in the paths thereof so that cont-inued swinging of the rockarm after the finger has entered beneath the flap causes simultaneousrotation of the finger on said rod and of said rod with respect to therock arm, thus causing the outer end of said finger to movesubstantially in a single plane and unfold the flap about its hinge.

'17. In a carton sealing machine, mechanism for opening a pair of hingedcarton flaps comprising a rock arm pivoted to swing toward the Ccarton,a pair of rods having their inner portions pivotedto the rock arm insubstantially parallel relationship and at right angles to the rock armpivot, the outer portion of each of said rods being bent at an angle `totheir inner portion, a pair of flap engaging, fingers pivotedrespectively on said outer portions of said rods so that their pivotalaxes are thereby angularly disposed with respect to the pivotal axes ofthe rods in the rock arms, projections secured to each of said rods anda spring interconnecting these projections so as to normally urge theprojections toward one another and hold the outer portions of said rodsin symmetrical relationship, a projection secured to each of saidfingers, means for swinging the rock arm toward the carton, and membersdisposed in the paths of each of said projections so as to cause thesimultaneous rotation of said fingers upon said rods and of said rods insaid rock arms, said members being arranged to coact with saidprojections after the fingers have entered beneath the pair of cartonflaps to cause said fingers to move outwardly and unfold the fiaps abouttheir hinges'.

18. In a machine for sealing cartons having oppositely hinged flaps,thecombination of a pivoted rock arm, a pair of flap engaging fingersoperatively supported upon said arm, means for swinging the rock arm tocause said fingers to open the flaps, means for gunnning the flaps,means for closing'the gummed flaps, a pivoted fin member for separatingthe opposite marginal edges of the flaps as they are moved to closedposition, and an operative connection between said rock arm and saidpivoted fin member whereby the receding movement ofthe rock arm liftsthe fin member away from the carton.

19. In a carton sealing machine, flap sealing means at each of a pair ofspaced stations for sealing a portionof the flaps of a carton at eachstation, means for turning the carton and simultaneously transferring itfrom the preceding station to the succeeding station so as to present anunsealed face to the sealing means at the succeeding station, said flapsealing means including at each station a pivoted fin member forpreventing overlapping of the marginal edges of the carton flaps duringthe sealing operation, the fin member at the first station being liftedout'of the path of the carton during the turning thereof by engagementwith the top of the carton, and an operative connection between thepivoted fin member at the second station and said sealing means forlifting the fin member out of the path of the carton.

20. In a machine for sealing filled cartons, means for receiving thefilled cartons with their fiaps closed but unsealed, means for openingthe fiaps on one face of a carton, means for gumming said flaps andmeans for closing the same into sealed relationship, means for invertingand transferring the filled carton to a position to be acted upon byother flap manipulating mechanism operative upon the fiaps of a givenface of the carton said mechanism including means for opening, means forgumming and means for closing said flaps, and means for removing thecarton from the apparatus.

21.l A carton sealing machine comprising two flap sealing mechanisms foroperating upon the flaps of the upper faces of two stationary cartons,means for actuatin said sealing mechanisms.simultaneously whlle thecartons remain in stationary position, and means for advancing thecartons successivesaid means 4 including means for turning each cartonthrough an angle of 180 to there- Y by permit the sealing of theopposite faces of the carton.

22. In a carton sealing machine, a plurality of flap sealing mechanismsfor operating upon the flaps of the faces of two stationary cartonswhich are in substantially the same plane, means for actuating saidmechanisms simultaneously while the cartons remain in stationaryposition, and means for advancing the cartons successively from one ofsaid mechanisms to the next, said advancing means including means forturning each carton through an angle of 180 to present an unsealed faceto the respective flap sealing mechanisms. -I

23. In a machine for sealing Afilled cartons having two stationsarrangedin substantially the same plane, means for successively ad vancingcartons to one of said stations, means for stopping each carton at saldstation,

means for successively removing cartons.

fromthe other station, flap sealing means at in stationary position,means for simultaneously actuating the flap sealing means of bothstations, means for transferring the cartons from one of said stationsto the other including means for inverting the cartons during saidtransfer, and means for stopping the cartons successively at'said secondstation.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

Y ARTHUR C. SCHROEDER.

